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10 of the world's most beautiful ice skating rinks

By Laura Ma and Jason Kwok, CNN

Updated 7:13 PM ET, Sun December 13, 2015

Snow-capped mountains surrounding a glacier-fed lake ... there's a reason Banff's Lake Louise is on so many Canadian postcards. Lake Louise is a two-hour drive through the Rocky Mountains from Calgary -- the nearest major airport. The free skating rink has a heated shelter.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Banff Lake Louise (Canada) – Snow-capped mountains surrounding a glacier-fed lake ... there's a reason Banff's Lake Louise is on so many Canadian postcards. Lake Louise is a two-hour drive through the Rocky Mountains from Calgary -- the nearest major airport. The free skating rink has a heated shelter.
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A pair of large rinks connected by small paths combine to create 6,000 square meters of skating in front of the Vienna City Hall. Austrian foods and drinks are available at booths scattered around the park that surrounds the rink.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Vienna Ice Dream (Austria) – A pair of large rinks connected by small paths combine to create 6,000 square meters of skating in front of the Vienna City Hall. Austrian foods and drinks are available at booths scattered around the park that surrounds the rink.
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In winter, a quarter of Red Square is covered with a Christmas-decorated rink. Skaters speed in ovals below the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Red Square Rink (Moscow) – In winter, a quarter of Red Square is covered with a Christmas-decorated rink. Skaters speed in ovals below the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral and the State Historical Museum.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rideau Canal is a leisure skating rink but also a thoroughfare for local commuters heading to work, school and shopping. The natural rink stretches 7.8 kilometers and passes Canada's parliament buildings.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Rideau Canal Skateway (Ottawa) – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rideau Canal is a leisure skating rink but also a thoroughfare for local commuters heading to work, school and shopping. The natural rink stretches 7.8 kilometers and passes Canada's parliament buildings.
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What does every Christmas movie set in New York have in common? Skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. The rink was originally a temporary promotion set up in 1936 to draw attention to the "Sunken Plaza" -- the shops and restaurants under the building.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
The Rink at Rockefeller Center (New York) – What does every Christmas movie set in New York have in common? Skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. The rink was originally a temporary promotion set up in 1936 to draw attention to the "Sunken Plaza" -- the shops and restaurants under the building.
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Shichahai Lake is actually three connected lakes: Qianhai Lake (front lake), Houhai Lake (back lake) and Xihai Lake (West Lake). Surrounded by historic architecture, the outdoor rink has ice chairs and ice bikes available for rent.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Shichahai Lake (Beijing) – Shichahai Lake is actually three connected lakes: Qianhai Lake (front lake), Houhai Lake (back lake) and Xihai Lake (West Lake). Surrounded by historic architecture, the outdoor rink has ice chairs and ice bikes available for rent.
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Paris' picturesque rink is closed this year due to refurbishment on the tower's first floor, but next year it'll be open again. The first-level rink is located about 60 meters above the Champs de Mars and is included in tower admission price. It opened in 1969, was renovated and reopened in 2004. Skate rental is available on site.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Eiffel Tower Ice Rink (Paris) – Paris' picturesque rink is closed this year due to refurbishment on the tower's first floor, but next year it'll be open again. The first-level rink is located about 60 meters above the Champs de Mars and is included in tower admission price. It opened in 1969, was renovated and reopened in 2004. Skate rental is available on site.
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You only get an hour of skating in the 18th-century courtyard, but it's one you won't forget. Ever had champagne and chocolates while you skate? You can here. The rink turns into a dance floor during "Club Nights" with live DJs.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Skate at Somerset House (London) – You only get an hour of skating in the 18th-century courtyard, but it's one you won't forget. Ever had champagne and chocolates while you skate? You can here. The rink turns into a dance floor during "Club Nights" with live DJs.
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Thirty minutes from downtown Denver, this 8.5-acre stretch of ice has 11 pond hockey rinks and a huge public skating area. Snow-covered pine trees pepper the nearby Evergreen Mountain. The Evergreen Lake House offers hot chocolate and snacks beside a stone fireplace.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Evergreen Lake (Colorado) – Thirty minutes from downtown Denver, this 8.5-acre stretch of ice has 11 pond hockey rinks and a huge public skating area. Snow-covered pine trees pepper the nearby Evergreen Mountain. The Evergreen Lake House offers hot chocolate and snacks beside a stone fireplace.
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Sydney never sees snow, but during its winter months of June and July, Bondi Beach opens an ice rink right beside the surf. As the largest outdoor rink in the southern hemisphere, it attracts around 30,000 visitors a year.
10 photos: best ice skating rinks
Bondi Winter Festival Ice Rink (Sydney) – Sydney never sees snow, but during its winter months of June and July, Bondi Beach opens an ice rink right beside the surf. As the largest outdoor rink in the southern hemisphere, it attracts around 30,000 visitors a year.
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Ice rink - Lake Louiseice rink - Vienna ice dreamice rink - red squareice rink - rideau canalIce rink - rockefellerIce rink - Shichahaiice rink - Eiffel TowerIce rinks - Somerset HouseIce rink - Evergreen lakeIce rink - Bondi Beach

Story highlights

  • Ottawa's Rideau Canal is a natural rink stretching 7.8 kilometers long
  • Skaters at Moscow's Red Square Rink can enjoy the Christmas lights decorating the Kremlim
  • Winter in Sydney sees Bondi Beach become an ice rink in June and July

(CNN)Shorts and flip-flops on the deck.

Drinks chilling in the cooler.

    Ice clinking in your margarita glass.

    Then winter hits.

    Fear not -- there's another use for large blocks of ice, as you can discover for yourself at some of the world's most dramatic water-walking spots.

    Read More

    Banff Lake Louise, Banff, Canada

    Banff Lake Louise; mid-December to mid-April (weather permitting)

    Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 1E0 Canada;

    Bondi Ice Rink, Sydney

    Bondi Ice Rink; late June to mid-July (2016 dates to be confirmed)

    Bondi Beach, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Sydney, New South Wales Australia;

    Eiffel Tower Ice Rink, Paris

    Eiffel Tower Ice Rink; December 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016

    Eiffel Tower, 5 avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris France;

    Evergreen Lake, Colorado

    Evergreen Lake; December 19, 2015 to February 28, 2016 (weather permitting)

    Evergreen Lake, Evergreen, CO;

    Red Square Rink, Moscow

    Red Square Rink; November 30, 2015 to March 9, 2016

    Red Square, Krasnaya ploshchad, Moscow Russia;

    Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa

    Rideau Canal Skateway; January to early March (weather permitting)

    Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B8 Canada;

    Rockefeller Center, New York

    The Rink at Rockefeller Center; October 10, 2015 to April 2016

    The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 1 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY 10020;

    Shichahai Lake, Beijing

    Shichahai Lake, opposite Beihai Park's North Gate, Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District; opens late winter

    Shichahai Scenic Resort, Yangfang Lane, Xicheng District, Beijing 100009 China;

    Somerset House, London

    Skate at Somerset House; November 18, 2015 to January 10, 2016

    Somerset House Ice Rink, Somerset House, The Strand, London England;

    Vienna Ice Dream, Vienna, Austria

    Wiener Eistraum; January 21 to March 6, 2016

    Wiener Eistraum, Rathausplatz, Vienna 1010 Austria;

    Originally published December 2013, updated December 2015.